News Releases - International

U.S. and India Partnering for a Better Global Environment

(Washington, D.C. – March 27, 2007) U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson is leading a U.S. delegation to India to meet with environmental officials on global environmental cooperation.

"As major contributors to the global economy, the U.S. and India are important to the health of the global environment," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "As we are seeing in the U.S., environmental progress and economic growth can, in fact, go hand-in-hand. We welcome this opportunity to share our experiences and lessons learned in order to accelerate the pace of environmental protection in both our nations."

Marking the first trip in five years by an EPA Administrator, Johnson will visit Mumbai, Hyderabad and New Delhi as he reviews existing U.S. – Indian collaboration.

In the state of Maharashtra, Johnson will attend several events that demonstrate India's commitment to cooperation with the United States in promoting cleaner air. Following a meeting with government officials in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Johnson will address a gathering of public and private sector leaders on collaborative air quality initiatives and new technologies for reducing emissions in the transport and industrial sectors. In the near future EPA, in collaboration with Pune Municipal Corporation and California Air Resources Board, will initiate a diesel bus retrofit project in Pune City. Johnson will also visit the King Edward Memorial Hospital to highlight ongoing efforts to establish a partnership between New York City and Mumbai on strategies to address childhood asthma in urban mega-cities. He will also give a keynote address to students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology on science and sustainable development.

In the state of Andhra Pradesh, Johnson will meet with state officials in Hyderabad before participating in a seminar on green building and climate programs in India. Johnson will also address current and future members of the Indian government at the Administrative Staff College of India on U.S. efforts to build cooperation between federal, state, and local governments in environmental protection. Johnson will conclude his time in Andhra Pradesh with a visit to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to discuss the challenges of providing clean and safe water in urban environments.

In New Delhi, Johnson and India's Minister of Environment and Forests A. Raja, will renew a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on environmental cooperation between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests. The MOU, which is renewed every five years, focuses on management of air and water quality and toxic chemicals and waste, along with environmental leadership. In addition, Johnson will visit the Shri Ram School to hear about its innovative environmental education efforts. EPA is helping to foster the school's environmental efforts to partner with the Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, Md.

Johnson will conclude his visit to India by discussing EPA's methane gas recovery and mercury programs with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and he will also meet with government officials from the Planning Commission and Ministry of Science and Technology on avenues of collaboration to strengthen environmental protection.